Role of MRI in identification, characterization and assessing the sequelae of lumbar disc degenerative changes
Journal Title: Medpulse International Journal of Radiology - Year 2018, Vol 6, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Low back pain is a common problem encountered by most people now a days. The most important cause of low back pain is the lumbar disc degenerative changes. MRI is the standard imaging modality for the identification of disc lesions. Aims and objectives: To identify, evaluate and characterize the changes associated with lumbar disc degenerative disease and to assess the sequelae of lumbar disc degeneration. Study design: Observational study. Materials and Methods: An observational study is conducted on 100 patients with in a time period of three months. All patients irrespective of age and sex with chief complaints of low back pain referred to the department of radiology are included in the study. Those patients who presented with low back pain but with history of trauma, infections, congenital lesions and tumor conditions of lumbar spine are excluded from the study. All patients included in the study are subjected to MRI scanning using 1.5 Tesla Siemens Magnetom Essenza unit. After ruling out contraindications for MRI, the scanning is done using the following sequences. T1W axial, T1W sagittal, T2W axial, T2W sagittal, STIR axial and Coronal. MRI findings such as disc bulge, Schmorl’s nodes, Disc herniation, Annular tears and spinal canal stenosis have been observed and characterized. Results: It is observed that lumbar disc degenerative changes are more common in males compared to females. The most common age group involved is between 41-50 years. Multiple levels of disc involvement is seen rather than single disc in most patients. These findings are comparable with other studies. The most commonly affected disc is L4-L5 intervertebral disc. Disc bulge, Disc herniation, Annular tears and Spinal canal stenosis is more common at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels and least common at L1-L2 level. Conclusion: MRI plays a pivotal role in precise localization of intervertebral disc changes. Because of its multi-planar image acquisition capability, excellent soft tissue contrast and lack of radiation exposure it turned out to be a standard imaging modality for localizing and characterizing disc pathology.
Authors and Affiliations
T V Kishan, S Kisara, Mounika S, Anusha R, R Putta
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP533259
- DOI 10.26611/1013611
- Views 99
- Downloads 0
Study of etiology of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis - A retrospective study
Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis has varied clinical presentations, etiological factors, imaging findings, and outcome. Etiological factors are usually divided into acquired risks and genetic risks. Aim: To find ou...
A case report of ectopic pregnancy in a caesarean scar
Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is the rarest locations for an ectopic pregnancy and incidence is increasing due to increasing number of cesarean sections. Delay in diagnosis can lead to significant maternal morbidity and...
Unusual presentation of non hodgkin’s lymphoma in forearm
Extra-nodal, extra-axial presentation of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rare. We present an uncommon case of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in an elderly woman who presented with a swelling in the right forearm. Initially considered...
Tubercular epididymitis and Epididymo-Orchitis: Ultrasound appearances
Objective: To determine the Ultrasonographic appearances in patients with tuberculous Epididymo-Orchitis and Orchitis and to correlate them with the histopathological findings. Materials and Methods: Total 25patients wit...
Evaluation of sentinel clot sign on computed tomography scan (CT scan) in order to know primary organ of injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma: A retrospective study of 43 subjects
Aims and objectives: To evaluate the frequency and relevance of the "sentinel clot" sign on computed tomography scan (CT scan) for patients with blunt abdominal injury in a retrospective study. Materials and Method: We r...